Acamprosate

Acamprosate is a prescription medication used for the maintenance of alcohol abstinence in patients who are abstinent at treatment initiation.

• Acamprosate is available under the following different brand names: Campral

Adult dosage

Tablet

• 333mg

Alcoholism

Adult dosage

• 666 mg orally three times a day 

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Acamprosate include:

• anxiety, 
• depressed mood,
• dizziness,
• sleep problems,
• pain, 
• weakness,
• itching, 
• sweating, 
• tingling,
• nausea, 
• diarrhea, 
• gas, 
• loss of appetite, and
• dry mouth.

Serious side effects of Acamprosate include:

• severe anxiety or depression,
• mood or behavior changes,
• thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself,
• severe diarrhea,
• kidney problems-swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath, and
• signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Rare side effects of Acamprosate include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Acamprosate has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Acamprosate has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Acamprosate has moderate interactions with the following drug:
  • naltrexone
• Acamprosate has minor interactions with no other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Severe renal impairment

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Acamprosate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Acamprosate?”

Cautions

• Does not diminish withdrawal symptoms
• May impair ability to operate heavy machinery or drive
• Efficacy not established in promoting abstinence in non-abstinent patients
• Check for suicidal tendencies
• Use as part of a comprehensive to treat alcohol dependence
• Possibility of acute renal failure (ARF)

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution